- QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC
Québec City is a taste of old world Europe, complete with cobblestone streets and gorgeous European architecture. The cuisine will not disappoint either. Listening to the natives speaking the delicious French-Canadian language will make you feel as if you have stepped off at Charles De Gaulle Airport and into a budget vacation fantasy.
- CHICAGO
With two major airports within the Chicago area (O'Hare and Midway), it is easy to find flights from anywhere in the country on sale. Get a City Pass, and you will be able to see some of the major sites in the city, including the Art Institute, the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Natural History Museum, Skydeck Chicago, The Adler Planetarium, etc. at a hugely discounted rate. Don't forget about Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the great jazz clubs too. If blues music is your thing, head on over to Rush Street. The views from Lake Michigan are free, as is window shopping on the miracle mile. Whatever you would like to do, whether it involves nature, culture, or some awesome international cuisine, Chicago is the stop for you.
- UPSTATE NEW YORK
Do you love wine? The Finger Lakes are at your fingertips. You'll taste some of the best ice wines in the world. Do you love train rides? Amtrak has some gorgeous meandering tracks through beautiful mountain foothills and valleys. If you're into something a little more alternative, Lilydale is one of the oldest psychic retreats in the country. If horse racing is your thing, don't miss a trip to Saratoga. With such a gorgeous area fairly close to the big apple, upstate New York is filled with artist communities, meaning pottery shops, antique shops, and more. Whatever you want to do, upstate New York has it.
- TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA
Truckee is an area in Northern California, known for outdoor activities. Whether you love mountain biking, golfing, canoeing, or hiking, Truckee is a place for you to visit. If you make this into a camping trip, how much more affordable can you get? As an aside, if you are looking for a friendly town filled with local artisans from craft beer makers to stained glass artists who are not afraid to say hello to a new face, visit downtown Truckee. If you are a musician or appreciate them, Truckee has lots of places to satisfy you!
- NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
New Orleans is an amazing town filled with very proud locals. Their food is like no other, their music is like no other, their French Quarter is like no other. If you are looking for a unique vacation on a budget, stay close to the airport to save on hotels, and grab a cab or better yet, bus and head to downtown. Their Jazz & Heritage music fest in April and May is not to be missed. The biggest names in the music industry never miss the chance to play for these appreciative crowds. If antiques are your thing, Magazine Street is it. Grab a luncheon muffuletta sandwich for a few dollars and be prepared to get filled out for the rest of the day. The street musicians and painters are world-class, and except for the tip, you will readily offer, are completely free.
Credits to Renee Ferris
7 Outstanding Tours!
- CINQUE TERRE, ITALY
As one of the outstanding tours of Italy, the journey along the coastal trails of the “five villages” will inspire you with its incredible views of the mountains, the Mediterranean, and the lovely, vibrantly coloured fishing villages of Cinque Terre. The terraced slopes of the Riviera di Levante offer footpaths upon which to take in your surroundings, which include trattorias (Italian restaurants/cafes), abbeys and deluxe hotels, all brightly coloured, like a picture-perfect painting. I can’t fail to mention the Ligurian cuisine, which you’ll be delighted to eat after a nice walking tour. The cuisine includes Italian pesto made with local basil, as well as crisp white wine from Cinque Terre’s vineyards.
- SAGUENAY NATIONAL PARK, CANADA
Close to the Quebec City lies a northern wonderland of cultural and natural gems. A walking tour along the Saguenay Fjord estuary offers up a diverse ecosystem where sea water blends with fresh water, creating cliff sides which delve into the St. Lawrence River. Saguenay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site where you’ll find quaint little villages bordering the water’s edges and a vast network of trails that take you through the spectacular landscape of waterfalls, stunning lakes, granite peaks, and gorges, where you’ll be sure to spot an array of wildlife.
- COSTA RICAN CLOUD FORESTS
Float through a dream in the cloud forests of Costa Rica. These tropical forests are located near the very top of coastal mountains, which provide year-round cloud coverage, making you feel as though you’re in the depths of enchantment itself. Not for the faint of heart, on your route, you’ll cross bridges suspended light years above the forest floor. Lagoon waterfalls and rugged craters make the tour even more ethereal, and the serene sea coves and clear freshwater ponds further the otherworldly touches to this unnaturally natural place. Surrounded by towering forest trees and floral lanes, the sights and sounds of the cloud forests are unparallelled.
- THE DINGLE PENINSULA, IRELAND
The emerald gem of Ireland offers many outstanding tours, but perhaps the best is along the worn paths of the southwestern region, where walkers are invited to explore a world of legend, of ancient castles and abbeys mingled with quaint cottages and country life. The Dingle Peninsula is peppered with stone villages alongside spectacular cliff edges, while the other side showcases a dabbling of small islands far out at sea. The western tip of the peninsula, Slea Head, offers Iron Age ruins, while a path through Killarney National Park features forest floors of moss. Stop in for a pint of Ireland’s Guinness at a local pub along the way.
- CRETE, GREECE
Home to the Minoans, Europe’s earliest civilisation, Crete is a treasure trove for archaeologists, historians and culturally inclined travellers who enjoy the intrigue of exploring hard-to-reach enclaves only attainable by foot or boat. Gorges, coves, cobbled pathways, pristine beaches and Venetian castles are just some of the sights you’ll take in on a tour of Crete. Your walks can be broken up with lovely afternoon swims in the warm Mediterranean, lunches at seaside tavernas, and wayward wanderings through olive groves and vineyards.
-THE OREGON TRAIL, USA
Bring out the explorer in you by navigating the Oregon Trail. This historic trail extends from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon, and for more than 20 years, starting in 1841, the Oregon Trail was the way west for nearly 300,000 emigrants. Nowadays, the trail covers 2,170 miles of road and includes many hikes and walks, as well as 125 historic sites. One walking tour starts along the Columbia River at the base of volcanic Mount Hood and travels alongside snow-capped mountains, wildflower-filled meadows, and gorgeous waterfalls. Also the backdrop of Native American history, the Oregon Trail covers this region’s ancient civilisations which date back thousands of years.
- BHUTAN
Bhutan is not only a country of the breathtaking natural landscape, but its culture carries with it a genuine piece of peace and tranquillity you may not be able to find anywhere else in the world. Travellers are only allowed to visit Bhutan on an organised tour, so many extensive tours are offered, which include visits to the valleys’ ancient citadels, Buddhist temples and idyllic wood carved farmhouses. The snow-capped Himalayas are the background to the Kingdom of Bhutan, which houses magnificent fortresses, a great contrast to the Bhutanese rather simple and modest way of life. Your tour may allow you to attend a Bhutanese festival, which will provide you with the opportunity to experience more intimately the country’s rich and vibrant culture.
Credits to Neecey Beresford
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